Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss, the Filmmakers Behind "War Game"

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One of the most exciting aspects of the Sundance Film Festival is getting a front-row seat to the future of independent filmmaking. The 2024 Sundance Film Festival offers a glimpse into the creative minds behind the stories that will shape the industry, and this year, the spotlight shines on filmmakers Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss. As part of the ongoing series "Give Me the Backstory," we delve into the lives and careers of these visionary storytellers, uncovering the journeys that have brought them to this pivotal moment with their latest film, War Game

Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss each have a longstanding history with Sundance. Despite their decades of experience, the thrill of presenting a new project at the festival never diminishes. “There is nothing to compare to the experience of a Sundance premiere,” Gerber reflects. It will never get old, and I hope to have a few more in my lifetime! Gerber's Sundance journey began in 1997 with his short film A Small Taste of Heaven*, and since then, he has returned multiple times, both as a filmmaker and an audience member. Moss, on the other hand, made his Sundance debut in 1999 with *On the Ropes, where he served as associate producer and sound recordist. His relationship with the festival deepened over the years as he became a creative advisor for Sundance Institute artist programs and premiered acclaimed films such as Boys State

The partnership between Gerber and Moss began in the 2000s when they co-directed *Full Battle Rattle*, a project supported by the Sundance lab and grants. Their latest collaboration, *War Game*, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, marking another milestone in their creative journey. “I can’t overstate the valuable role Sundance has played in my artistic development,” Moss emphasizes. “There is no better festival in the world to premiere a film.”

War Game was featured in the Festival’s Special Screenings section, and the process of making the documentary was as intense and compelling as the film itself. The documentary captures a six-hour exercise conducted by the nonpartisan Vet Voice Foundation, where real-life U.S. defense, intelligence, and policymakers simulate a scenario in which another insurrection occurs following a presidential election. With the events of January 6, 2021, in mind, the exercise escalates the stakes by including rogue active-duty military members supporting the coup attempt. “The day of production, January 6, 2023, was like the Super Bowl,” Gerber recalls. “It was terrifying and thrilling like a live broadcast.”

The unique premise of War Game highlights the importance of the documentary in today’s political climate. Gerber and Moss believe the film serves as a crucial exploration of the potential dangers that still exist within the democratic process. Through their lens, audiences can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of safeguarding democracy and the challenges that lie ahead.

As filmmakers, Gerber and Moss continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, combining their expertise in documentary filmmaking with a passion for shedding light on pressing social issues. War Game is just the latest example of their commitment to capturing the truth, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may be.

For more insights into War Game and to learn about the biggest challenges Gerber and Moss faced during production, stay tuned for upcoming interviews and discussions surrounding this thought-provoking documentary.